When Networks Understand What You Want – Not Just What You Say: The MCP Protocol Revolution
3 min read
How Model Context Protocol (MCP) and AI are transforming network operations from CLI commands to conversational intelligence – and why I decided to build an open-source MCP toolbox for network engineers.
This article is Part 1 of a 3-part series:
- Part 1 (you are here): When Networks Understand What You Want – The MCP Protocol Revolution
- Part 2: Network MCP Docker Suite – Seven MCP Servers for AI-Driven Network Operations
- Part 3: From NetDevOps to AgenticOps – Real-World Use Cases with the Network MCP Docker Suite
The Dawn of AIOps in Network Management
Network administrators face an increasingly complex challenge: managing hybrid infrastructures spanning cloud and on-premises environments, juggling multiple management platforms, and responding to issues faster than ever before. What if you could simply ask your network what’s wrong, and have an AI assistant investigate, correlate data across multiple systems, and provide actionable solutions?
This is the promise of AIOps (Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations). In this series, I explore how the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and the Network MCP Docker Suite make this a reality in real-world network environments.
Understanding MCP: The USB-C for AI Agents
Before I talk about the Network MCP Docker Suite, I want to explain the foundational technology that makes it all possible: Model Context Protocol (MCP).
What is MCP?
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard developed by Anthropic that connects AI agents with external data and tools. I like to describe it as the “USB-C for AI Agents” – a universal connector that enables AI assistants to interact with any system in a standardized way.
Important: MCP is a Protocol, Not an AI
Let me clear up a common misconception right away:
- ❌ MCP is not an AI Agent
- ❌ MCP is not an AI Assistant
- ❌ MCP is not an LLM (Large Language Model)
- ✅ MCP is a Protocol – just like TCP, UDP, or HTTP
Just as HTTP defines how web browsers communicate with web servers, MCP defines how AI agents communicate with tools, databases, and APIs.
The Problem MCP Solves: API Consistency
Traditional approach:
The problem: If Service #1 changes its API, dependent applications may stop working. API consistency is always a challenge in traditional integrations.
With MCP:
The solution: MCP servers act as “translators” between the standardized MCP protocol and the specific APIs of each service. When an API changes, you only need to update the MCP server, not every application that uses it.
MCP Client (The AI Assistant)
- Examples: Claude Desktop, Cursor IDE, Cisco AI Agent, LibreChat
- Integrated with LLM models for reasoning
- Understands natural language queries
- Orchestrates conversation flow
- Determines which MCP servers to query
MCP Server (The Translator)
- Examples: Catalyst Center MCP, IOS XE MCP, NetBox MCP, and more
- Translates MCP protocol to native APIs (REST, SSH/CLI, etc.)
- Maintained by service/tool providers
- Handles authentication and authorization
- Adapts when backend APIs change – protecting applications from disruption
Real-World Example: Network Troubleshooting with MCP
When you ask an AI assistant: “Help me troubleshoot the P1 issue on Catalyst Center.”
All of this happens in seconds, with the MCP protocol ensuring consistent, reliable communication between the AI and your network infrastructure.
Why MCP Matters for Network Operations
- Universal Standard: One protocol works with many AI assistants
- Security Gateway: MCP servers control and audit API access
- API Abstraction: Changes to backend APIs don’t break AI integrations
- Future-proof: Works with current and future AI models
- Interoperability: Mix and match AI assistants and network platforms
- Context-rich: Provides AI with the data it needs to reason effectively
Continue reading the series:
- Next – Part 2: Network MCP Docker Suite – Seven MCP Servers for AI-Driven Network Operations
- Part 3: From NetDevOps to AgenticOps – Real-World Use Cases with the Network MCP Docker Suite
Note: The Network MCP Docker Suite is a personal open-source project created for demonstration purposes. It is not an official Cisco product. The examples and code are provided “as is” to illustrate how AI agents can interact with network APIs through the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
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